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Request for Proposals
Website Development and Re-design
www.khalidilibrary.org
Terms of Reference (ToR)
Background
The Khalidi Library was opened to the public in 1900; it aimed at providing a local, Arab cultural
alternative to the foreign cultural establishments being opened in the region and it was intended to
be open to the public, to encourage the spread of learning, and reviving interest in the classics of
Islamic learning, as well as modern subjects. It was based on family holdings of manuscripts and
books collected over many generations by Muhammad San’Allah, Muhammad Ali, Yusuf Diya
Pasha, Musa Shafiq, Ruhi Bey and Yasin al-Khalidi, as well as many others. Established within an
understanding that knowledge would help develop prosperity, for the first half of the 20th century
the Khalidi Library became a cultural hub within Jerusalem. The conflicts and occupation of the
second half of the century were a difficult time for the library, but by the 1980s work had begun to
restore its presence in Jerusalem. The work continues today.
Objective
The Khalidi Library has invested in its structural development and protection and has intensified its
programming in protection and promotion of the Library’s cultural heritage and content, under the
guidance and with funding from the Friends of the Khalidi Library (FKL-USA) over many years.
The Khalidi library, with generous support from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social
Development – administered by the Welfare Association (Taawon) – is aiming to re-structure its
current website (www.khalidilibrary.org) in line with its 21st
century cultural heritage mission.
The new website should feature new attractivedesign and include vastly expanded content in
promotion of the history of the Library in conjunction with promoting a unique cultural heritage of
Jerusalem through the eyes of the Khalidi family. This will include images, videos, e-books and
pertinent scholarly and cultural heritage material. In addition, the restructured website should
integrate the Lybsis -based catalogue of books and manuscripts respectively to enable linkage with
actual low-resolution on-screen images of some 2000 Manuscripts. This will allow more visitors to
access content with certain pre-set permissions. It should also allow linkage with other external
virtual partner libraries. The continuously expanding digital library of family archives and other
precious digitised material will be gradually added to the digital library holdings in the coming years.
The Khalidi Library has assigned a dedicated Consultant to be responsible for preparing content in
consultation with and approval of the Khalidi Mutawallis (Administrators) and through them, with
the FKL Academic Committee. Therefore content is not part of the Website Developer(s) or
Development Firm’s responsibilities. However, the Website Developer(s)or Development Firm
should work very closely with the Consultant during the whole process of constructing the website

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and mapping its various sections and pages. The Library Administrators will be responsible for
liaising with the FKL Academic Committee for its input at all stages of the assignment.
The Khalidi Library is inviting interested Website Developers and Website Development Firms to
submit proposals in accordance with the following required deliverables and requirements.
Deliverables:.
 Three optional artistic, graphic and color schemes for the new website presented for approval by
Library Administrators.
 The Khalidi Library new website looks visually enhanced and user-friendly in terms of
functionalities with proper website mapping.
 The website content should be uploaded only after obtaining approvals from the Library
Mutawallis (Custodians).
 The website is highly secured.
 The website is responsive to Mobile phones and other smart devices.
 The website is created in two languages (Arabic & English) with expected limited differences.
 A full and separate searchable Manuscripts and Books catalogues are integrated within the
Website with possible connection to the Khalidi Server(s).
 Ability to link catalogue titles with the individual manuscripts’ photos or group of photos (Low
resolution) either located at Khalidi Library’s server(s) or domain service provider.
 Social Media sharing features are integrated in the new website, as well as email for Library staff.
 A website “search” functions is integrated.
 Other functionalities such as galleries (video and photo) and individual page printing.
 Digital Library services functionalityto allow users to request, pay for and receive, digital
content from the Library.
 Automatic registration of appointments for Library scholarly visits or tour groups.
 The website is connected to Google Analytics and guidance is provided to main users or
administrator(s) to extract data related to website visitors, interactions and analysis.
 A full source code handover to the Khalidi Library Mutawallis (Custodians) is made upon
completion along with overall website handover subject to Khalidi Approval
 Training is provided to selected staff for updating content and creating new pages among other
necessary functions in maintenance and update of the website.
 A full support and maintenance, including administrative and technicaland quality control, is
included for two years after completion and actual handover.
It should be noted that the current domain and hosting of the Library website (with
www.infomaniak.ch)shall be maintained and all deliverables should be functional within that host.
Implementation timeframe
The contract’s duration will initiallybe 4 months with a possibility of no-cost extension given a
strong justification by the selected Website Developer(s)/Development Firm and subject to the

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Khalidi Library’s written approval. Shortlisted Developer(s)/Development Firms might be invited
for an information/briefing and Q&A session.
Qualifications and Proposal Requirements
Applicants (individual or institutional) should meet the following requirement criteria;
 5-7 years of experience in Website Development – desirable experience for a similar
project/website.
 Relevant experience in using different Content Management Systems (CMS)
 Wide knowledge of modern web development technologies and designs.
 A creative and knowledgeable graphic and web design capabilities including social media
networking.
 Must be either based in Jerusalem or have free access to Jerusalem given that the Library is
based in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Proposals should include the following;
 Full technical proposal and specifications/
 Cost proposal as per the “Budget Allocation” section (below)
 Working profile demonstrating experience in designing websites.
 Key professional staff qualifications and competences needed for the assignment.
 An initial work plan and expected timeframe for the individual deliverable.
 Full Maintenance and support plan for 2 year period after launch.
 A training plan upon completion.
Budget Allocation AND EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS
The Khalidi Library has allocated a maximum of $3,500 for this project in-line with the required
deliverables. Proposals should not exceed this amount including relevant taxes. A cost breakdown
should be provided.
Proposals may include optional functions and features over and above what is required (above) with
separate costing break down.
Proposals will be evaluated primarily in terms of their technical features, while any proposals that are
costed less than the budget allocation will be evaluated in light of their comparative technical merit.
Submission
Interested website Developer(s) are requested to submit their technical and financial proposals in
one pdf document to chairman@khalidilibrary.org with a subject line: Khalidi Library
Website_[Applicant Name or Firm Name]